The agenda for Plug-In 2011 will include four high-level plenary sessions, plus breakout sessions with working experts on vehicle, component and infrastructure technologies; results of pilot programs; customer surveys; PEV/PHEV readiness plans; and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

It all started with this: enthusiast companies such as Calcars.org started to mod Priuses into plug-in hybrids

Plug-In 2011 also will feature two pre-conference workshops – one on plug-in vehicle readiness for communities, and the other focused on how educators can create career pathways in the industry for students. There will also be a public night. The attendee ride-n-drive in selected plug-in and electric vehicles is scheduled for Monday, July 18th from 2PM to 4:30PM.

Plug-in 2011 will build on the successful past conferences, held in San Jose, California (2008), Long Beach, California (2009), and their return to San Jose (2010). Plug-In 2010 drew record attendance of more than 700 attendees, 100 media representatives, and more than 40 exhibiting companies. The Public Night attracted a record 1,300 local consumers.

Attendees will get a chance to ask questions of the decision makers in the plug-in and electric vehicle industry. At the 2010 conference, Nissan North America’s executive vice president Carlos Tavares spent some time answering questions about the Nissan Leaf and the eight year battery warranty. At the 2008 conference, Andy Grove, founder of Intel, explained the need for retrofitting electric power trains to existing vehicles.

Nissan Leaf is raising a lot of interest from drivers that want an all-electric vehicle

More than 40 exhibitors have committed to attending the 2011 conference and exposition, which is being held at the new Raleigh Convention Center downtown. Among the exhibitors are Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, Mitsubishi and Nissan. Also taking floor space is a number of North Carolina companies and institutions, including Advanced Energy; Duke Energy; North Carolina State University; Siemens Energy; ZAPI, Inc. Some of the speakers are listed at their website.